New Songs

It was C.S. Lewis who mentioned that like dancing, worship works best when you do not have to think about it. “As long as you notice and have to count the steps, you are not yet dancing, but only learning to dance.”(C.S. Lewis in Letters to Malcolm)

Thus the more familiar you are with a song of praise or worship the more likely you will be able to focus on God’s presence, instead of trying to follow the tune and find the words. Thus familiarity enhances the experience.

Does it mean that we do not learn new songs? New songs are important as they express our adoration and need in ways that the children of each generation can relate and identify as their voice. The best way then is for us to introduce new songs, but sing it over and over till familiarity breeds worship, not contempt. It becomes “like dancing”.